Clarification on Playstation’s DRM policy

We all know about the huge applause and relief that followed Sony’s announcement about no new restrictions on used games and no online requirements. This is part of what made many people conclude that the Playstation will dominate in the next-gen (that, and the price, of course).

Now, there are articles popping up that there will be some DRM, depending on the third party developer. Let’s just be clear here – PS4 will have the same DRM set up as PS3. If a game requires an online pass, or is free-to-play, or whatever other business model, that will still apply. However, any disc-based game can be traded, sold, borrowed or kept.

So quit your panicking!

Wielding my lasso of truth, I am the combination of nerd passion and grammar nazi. I delve into all things awesome and geek-tastic. I believe people should stop defining themselves and just enjoy playing games, so let's get on with it! View all posts by Zoe →

People were going off last night over twitter that you still needed DRM cus of some translation fuck up from a SONY exec. Was hysterical to watch people get their knickers in a twist.

Hammersteyn

Maybe Google translate messed up O_0.

Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

I honestly think Sony made a tactically better choice by keeping the DRM standard the same as they already have with the PS3.

FoxOneZA – X-Therminator

If Sony go ahead with 50% of a DRM, the DRM issue wil be done away with. They could always enforce it in a more sweeter manner like fortnight checks, etc.

Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

Why would they want to do fortnight checks? They’ve already said the device is DRM free and the only DRM is that which the publisers decide.

Why would they now go ahead and add more DRM? I don’t understand what you are trying to say bud?

Rinceyouropinion

Lost me too…

FoxOneZA – X-Therminator

You say it’s DRM free, and then you say the publishers are left to decide? I was referring to the publishers enforcing DRM. So to me it’s not totally DRM free.

Rinceyouropinion

He’s saying it’s the same situation as with Sony 3. Publishers who want to shoot themselves in the foot would enforce DRM, not many have. When the actual console makes you, you are screwing the pooch

Jakster

“or whatever other business model”… It’s that part that’s unsettling.
And we know that online passes from EA’s side are done with. This is far
from done and dusted….

Rinceyouropinion

Yeah. The console, however, is DRM free. If EA as a developer want to add DRM (which I am sure they DO!) they can. At least I can boycott the game that wants DRM, and don;t have to boycott the machine.

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

The console itself is DRM free, some games are not

Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

Ah, but that’s not Sony’s fault. As it currently stands both the XBox360 and the Sony PS4 are DRM free. The devices themselves hold no sway over what you may or may not play. That is 100% in the hands of the developer.

Microsoft have gone full retard and built DRM in to the new console itself (Every 24hours check in etc) while the Sony PS4 has left it out and leaving their new device as the PS3 and XBox360 now stand.

Tactically they have gained themselves an edge in potential sales because
a) there are more players witout internet than there are with.
b) they gain the trust of the gamers. Yes publishers can still add DRM to their game but then that publisher gets hated on and not Sony.

All I am saying is that they made a wiser choice.

Rinceyouropinion

That reminded me of this

Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

Hahaha. Nice one rince

Rinceyouropinion

It’s the Xbox One fans saying ‘No it isn’t’

DarthofZA

Because this is Sony, and it would not be out of character for them to add DRM with daily checks 6 months after release. Not saying they will, just saying that lets learn from the past for once…. just once….

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

There’s no DRM … you’re so confusing

Hammersteyn

What DRM?

Rinceyouropinion

Why would SONY want to piss off all those people who are against DRM by adding 50%? Not sure I understand you bro!

Martin du preez

This guy lost grip with reality..better to ignore him.

Rinceyouropinion

Usually Foxone isn’t like this! But will hold off comments. Maybe a bad day

Guest

is all i can say

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

Praise the Sun!

Hammersteyn

Dark souls……….. *shudders

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

I need Dark Souls 2 in my life

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

I also would also like to say that yes we all love Sony for this … but gamers , the community, banded together and made their voices heard. This should be a testament that we do have power and we can make a change. I don’t know bout ya’ll, but I had a suspicion that Sony had a DRM in place but changed it due to the One backlash, I’m just basing this on the shots that Sony took at MS

Rinceyouropinion

Damn straight. Never stay silent if you are raging about a possible situation as that rage can change it!

Trevor Davies

The meek shall inherit the DRM.

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

exactly. people will call us whiny and fanboys but it’s the very rage that causes change.

Rinceyouropinion

I remember saying that SONY had listened (actually I incorrectly used heard) and the proof is in the pudding!

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

Truth brother. Make loud enough noise and you can make a difference. They have to listen, we are the consumers and we buy that sh*t…

Jakster

“or whatever other business model”… It’s that part that’s unsettling. And we know that online passes from EA’s side are done with. This is far from done and dusted.

FoxOneZA – X-Therminator

#wait and see approach engaged.

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

Your waiting to see?

Andre116

Don’t know about that. If that was the case there would have been some agreement in place with the publishers. If sony decided to change that agreement, I’m sure there would have been a lawsuit. They are already developing the games, so I think it is a little bit on the late side to be making changes like that. But just my opinion.

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

Which is why publishers can still have DRM, but there is no console based DRM which I suspect Sony had in place but they decided to change it after the uproar.

Trevor Davies

Quit panicking? Really? What are you trying to hide?!?!?!?!

Tinfoil hat ENGAGE!

Jakster

“So quit your panicking!”….. The irony!!! I hear a chuckle from Adam Orth.

PS4 is an updated PS3 with a developer friendly chipset and lots more power.
Far play to them but I is it any real major leap in gaming?

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

I always wondered what exactly is the next step in the evolution of gaming? Is it Virtual Reality, Augmented or simply just better graphics. I think this lies with the game developers to go beyond what we as gamers can imagine. The power of the console is just a means for them to try more bold and wonderful things

Rob Clarke

I think that the next step is permently online consoles and cloud computing.
I’m getting an Xbox 1 for that reason amongst others.
I don’t care about the 24 hour check becauce I have v. Fast reliable internet so everything that can be connected in my house is always online anyway.

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

I don’t know hey, I don’t see how cloud computing can really benefit gaming. Diablo and SimCity tried it, but those very systems that they implemented like Diablo generating game elements server side can be replicated without them, evident by that very game coming to console. Cloud Computing is definitely great but I don’t see the benefit, especially when you want to play alone

Rob Clarke

I agree sim city wasn’t a good start for cloud gaming. Cant comment on diablo never played it on pc.
But sim city happened because the cloud inferstucture wasn’t there.
I think MS will do it right or die trying. Some of the things they are talking about are very exciting.
Cloud computing will make single player better too. Look what turn 10 are doing with forza 5 for example.

Please donot think im dissing ps4 im sure its gonna be great just more of the same unless it embraces the cloud. Which it will but by making it an offline cconsole that can be connected it will just be a lot harder to do right

Umar Kiiroi Senk?

Naa don’t worry , I can understand your argument completely, I wish more people would reply in an intelligent manner .

I totally agree that the infrastructure isn’t there, but from my standpoint, I shouldn’t need internet for single player. because then everything is just a pseudo-mmo. But hey are doing exciting things and always online can be amazing, but not forcefully and not for every single game

Rob Clarke

I agree sim city wasn’t a good start for cloud gaming. Cant comment on diablo never played it on pc.
But sim city happened because the cloud inferstucture wasn’t there.
I think MS will do it right or die trying. Some of the things they are talking about are very exciting.
Cloud computing will make single player better too. Look what turn 10 are doing with forza 5 for example.

Please donot think im dissing ps4 im sure its gonna be great just more of the same unless it embraces the cloud. Which it will but by making it an offline cconsole that can be connected it will just be a lot harder to do right

Hammersteyn

For one thing P3 had 512mb ram. PS4 has 8Gigs. So the power of the console is ramped up quite a lot.

Rob Clarke

I know but what does that mean to gamers other than better graphics. Sony haven’t shown anything that takes gaming to the next level . Lots of the 3rd party stuff has some good new idea. But the new ideas seem to be centred around online focused persisted cloud based games.

Hammersteyn

Well they mad a big fuss about disc based games and no DRM. So cloud plays a part but not THE part

Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

Wow reading through the threads, it’s almost like it’s 2007 again. Ah all the console fanboy warfare, the misinformation, the fanboy tears, the trolling… sniff… it brings a tear to my old crusty eye! I really missed all the drama, but there is a sense of ….